Dry streak may end soon, but sun not done in September | Weather

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A season-changing frontal system is at our doorstep...it already feels like we're wrapping up summer and heading straight into fall this morning. The skies lit up with thunder and lightning last night over the Cascade crest, but Sea Tac managed to hold on to a dry rain gauge...we've now gone 48 straight days without rain at the airport, and if we manage to get through today without measurable precipitation, we'll get to 49. However, the count will almost certainly end there, and we'll have to settle for 2nd place in the 'driest ever on record' rankings...the old record was 51 days in the summer of 1951.

The clouds really filled in already overnight, and the wind picked up, too...the treetops were swinging around for the first time in a long time as the wind whistled through them this morning. Some early drizzle and light rain is already falling near the coastline, and the interior may see a few scattered showers today, too. However, the bulk of the rainfall should wait to fall until very late tonight and early Monday morning. Therefore, we'll spend most of the day clouding up and cooling down. Highs will top out only in the middle 60s today for Seattle, Tacoma and Everett.

With rain hitting the pavement overnight, look for VERY slippery morning commuting on Monday. The oils and dirt that have accumulated on the roads during this long dry spell will mix with the rain and create a very slick scenario. Leave extra room between you and the car in front of you as you drive to work or school tomorrow morning.

Lows on Monday will start off in the 50s, and highs will top out only in the low to middle 60s--a real touch of autumn. The front should move through by mid-morning, so most of the steady rainfall should wrap up before lunch. The afternoon will feature lingering showers and sunbreaks, and we'll see a Puget Sound Convergence Zone setting up over the King-Snohomish County line, resulting in extra rainfall in that vicinity through the course of the day.

The precipitation will be short-lived, and Tuesday looks like our 'transition' day back to September sunshine. Highs will hit the upper 60s Tuesday as sunshine follows the morning cloud cover.

Another ridge of high pressure builds mid-week, and highs climb accordingly...middle to upper 70s by Wednesday, and a few low 80s possible again Thursday. Summer won't give up without a fight!

Onshore flow returns by Friday for a cool-down, and temps will continue to fall again by the weekend.

In the meantime, enjoy the return of the rain, and drive carefully once it starts to fall!